Insulator device



July 18, 1944. R. P. HANNA INSULATOR DEVICE NEY , INVENTORFaymonaP/iorma ATT Filed April 15, 1941 WITNESSES: 67 "I Patented July18, 1944 INSULATOR DEVICE.

Raymond P. Hanna, Pittsburgh, Pa., assignor to Westinghouse Electric &Manufacturing Company, East Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation ofPennsylvania Application April 15, 1941, Serial No. 388,584 I Claims.

My invention relates, generally, to insulator devices and it hasreference in particular to insulators for use in overhead trolleyconductor systems.

Generally stated, it is an object of my invention to provide a trolleyconductor insulator device that is both strong and durable, and which isalso simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

More specifically, it is an object of my invention to provide forlimiting the load on an insulating member in a trolley conductorinsulator to one of substantially pure tension.

Another object of my invention is to provide, in a section insulator,for connecting the end members to an insulating strain member in suchmanner as to prevent bending of the strain member.

A further object of the invention is to provide for relieving thetension member in a trolley conductor insulator of other than asubstantially pure tension load, so that the member may be designed forthe maximum tensile strength with a minimum cross-section.

Yet another object of my invention is to provide for pivotallyconnecting a tension member of an insulator device between the endmembers, through which a tension load is to be applied to the tensionmember, and for adjustably connecting a compression member between theend members in spaced relation to the tension member to align the endmembers.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a reenforcedinsulating tension member for a trolley conductor insulator having meansfor effecting a hinged connection thereto adjacent the ends. o

Other objects will in part be obvious, and will in part be explainedhereinafter.

In accordance with one embodiment of'my in-' vention, a reenforcedinsulating tension member is pivotally connected to end members whichprovide for connection in a trolley conducting system, so that asubstantially pure tension load is applied to the tension member. Aninsulating compression member positioned between the end members inspaced relation to the tension member is provided with adjusting meansto vary the effective length of" the compression member so as to insurethe proper alignment of the end members, A renewable runner member isprovided beneath the tension member for guiding a current collector andrenewable approach and wear members are detachably secured to an endmemher to provide a smooth approach to the runner member.

For a more complete understanding of the nature and scope of myinvention, referenc may be had to the following description, which maybe read in connection with the accompanyin drawing in which;

Figure l is a side elevational view, broken out in part and partlysectioned, of an insulator device embodying the principal features ofthe invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along theline IIII of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the right hand end runner member and approachmember assembly of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an end elevational view of a runner support member; and

Fig. 5 is a side elevational View of the approach member.

Referring to Figure 1, the reference numeral It may denote, generally, atrolley conductor insulator device in the form of a section insulator.The insulator'device may comprise, generally, an insulating tensionmember l2, an insulating compression member l3,and end members l4 and I5secured thereto for connecting the device in a trolley conductor system;A renewable runner member I6 may be positioned beneath the tensionmember l2 to provide a smooth path for a current collector, and arenewable wear member I1 and an approach member I8 may be associatedwith the end member l5 to provide a smooth approach to the runner memberfor a current collector.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, it may be seen that F the tension member l2may comprise, generally,

end connecting members 20 having head portions 2| with transverseopenings 22 therein. The stem portions 23 of the connecting members maybe provided with roughened surfaces having, for example, a plurality ofcircumferential ribs 25. In order to effect a mechanical connectionbetween the connecting members 20 and maintain a relatively high degreeof electrical insulation therebetween, the stem portions 23 of theconnecting members may be imbedded in a suitable insulating material 26such as, for example, a phenolic resin which may be moulded under heatand pressure.

For the purpose of securing the maximum mechanical strength in thetension member with a minimum cross-section, suitable reenforcing meansmay be provided in the body of the ing sulating member l2. For example.means such as the elongated reenforcing members 28 may be provided,extending throughout the body portion of the tension member to adjacenteach end and overlapping and at least partially enclosing the stemportions 23 of the connecting members. The reenforcing members 28 may,for example, comprise a suitable length of tubing, which may beroughened on the interior adjacent the ends by threads 29 to provide abetter bond between the insulating material and the members, and whichmay be split longitudinally so as to provide longitudinal openings 30which permit the insulating material 26 to fiow more evenly about andbetween the reenforcing members and connecting members to provide anintegral insulating unit. Such a unit may be designed to withstand muchhigher tensile loads than the usual type of insulator, if it is keptsubstantially free of any bending stress.

The end members i4 and may be of any suitable design for effecting theconnection of the insulator device to a trolley conductor or any of thedifferent trolley devices with which the insulator device may be used.The end member l4 may, for example, comprise a body portion 32 having arecess 33 therein to receive one of the connecting members 28 of thetension member. A transverse opening 34 may be provided through the bodyportion to receive a pin 35, which is adapted to pass through theopening 22 in the head portion of the connecting member 20, so as toeffect a hinged or pivotal connection between the connecting member andthe body portion 32 of the end member, thus keeping the connectingmember substantially free of any bending stresses and subject only totension loading. The end member may be provided with an upwardlyprojecting arm portion 37 to which the compression member I 3 may beconnected. A relatively horizontal flange portion 39 may be provided foreffecting connection of the end member to an adjacent trolley device(not shown).

The end member [5, which is disposed to provide for connection to atrolley conductor (not shown) may be provided with an elongated bodyportion 49 having an opening 4| therethrough from the lower side slopingupwardly at a relatively small angle for receiving a trolley conductor.Means may be provided for securing the conductor therein, such as theset screws 42. The body portion of the end member i5 may also beprovided with a recess 33 for receiving a connection member 20 of thetension member 12, and transverse openings for receiving a pin foreiieciing a hinged connection of the connecting member 20 with the bodyportion 42. An upwardly projecting arm portion 3'! may also be providedon the body member to which connection of the compression member [3 maybe made.

The compression insulating member I3 which is positioned between the armportion 3? of the end members to maintain them in the proper alignmentmay be of any suitable construction. It may, for example, comprise atubular insulating member having threaded openings 43 at the ends.

In order to insure the proper alignment of the end members l3 and [4 sothat the load applied to the tension member [2 will be substantiallypure tension, suitable means may be provided for varying the effectiveleng h of the compression member l3 relative to the length of thetension member l2, which is subjected to the greater portion of thestresses in the insulating device. Means such as the spacer 44 may,

for example, be utilized with the bolt 45, different thicknesses ofspacers being used to provide the desired spacing between the armportions 31 of the end members. Another form of adjusting means whichmay be utilized, is designated, generally, by the numeral 46. Forexample, a stud 4'! having a shoulder portion 48 intermediate the endsmaybe threaded into the end opening 43 of the compression member I3 soas to project through the opening 49 in the arm portion 31. Means suchas the lock nuts 59 may be provided on the stud for varying theeffective length of the compression member between the arm portions 31,and a nut 51 may be utilized to maintain the predetermined spacingbetween the end members once the lock nuts have been secured in thedesired position.

In order to provide for guiding a current collector along the insulatordevice, the runner member I6 may be positioned beneath the tensionmember 12 by means such as the saddle support members 53 such as shownin Fig. 4, which may be connected to the end members by means oftransverse bolt members 54. substantially rigid runner member, anadditional support may be provided intermediate the ends of the runnermember such as the saddle support member 56 which may be connected tothe tension member I2. The runner member i6 may, if desired, comprise apair of sections supported at one end by the support member and at theother ends by the support members 53.

With a view to providing a smooth transition from a trolley conductor tothe runner member E5, the approach member l8 may, as shown in Figs. 1, 3and 5, be secured to the body portion 40 of the end member 15 by meansof a hooked portion 5! on the upper side, which engages a transversebolt member 58 positioned in a clevis 59 adjacent the end of the bodyportion 40. The approach member may be provided with depending lipportions 63 which may be pressed inwardly about a trolley conductor, andwhich are gradually tapered towards the end in both the horizontal andvertical planes. By thus tapering the lip portions 60, they do notenclose the conductor until a point is reached from two thirds to threequarters of the length from the outer end. An approachin currentcollector may (thus) continue to engage the lower portion. of thetrolley conductor for an appreciable distance after it enters theapproach and gradually engage the side portions of the depending lips sothat thetransfer from the surface of the trolley conductor to the lipportions of the approach member where they enclose the conductor on thelower side does not occur until the current collector is guided intoposition by the side portions of the approach member, so that thetransfer is extremely smooth.

In order to provide a smooth path for the current collector between theapproach member [8 and the runner member IS, the renewable wear member11 is provided to enclose the opening ll in the body portion 40 of theend'member l5 and provide a smooth renewable wear surface therealong.The wear member I! may comprise a substantially U-shaped sheath havingupstanding ear portions 62 and 63 adjacent the ends to, cooperate withthe transverse bolt members 64.

and 5B in securing the wear member in position. The side portions of thewear member may be cut out intermediate the ear portions so as to fitsnugly about the body portion 40 of the end member and provide a minimumthickness to To provide a permit the smooth passage of a currentcollector therealong.

From the above description it will be apparent that, I have provided forlimiting the stresses on the tension member of the insulator device tosubstantially pure tension, so that the tension member, which receivesthe greater portion of the stresses in the insulator device, may bedesigned for a substantially pure tension loading, having, for example,a much higher ratio of tensile to fiexural strength. than the usual typeof tension member. The tension member may thus have the maximum strengthfor the minimum cross-sectional dimensions, since it is substantiallyfreed from any bending stresses which might be produced by relativemovement of the end members under load. By providing for adjustment ofthe efiective length of the compression member which is subjected to thelesser portion of the stresses in the insulator device the correctalignment of the end members may be readily obtained.

Since certain changes may be made in the above description and differentembodiments of the invention may be made without departing from thespirit thereof, it is intended that all the matter contained in theabove description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall beconsidered as illustrative and not in the limiting sense.

I claim as my invention:

1. An insulator device comprising, an insulating tension member, an endmember having an upwardly projecting arm portion, a transverse pinmember positioned in the end member operable to provide a hingedconnection between the tension member and the end member, an insulatingcompression member associated with the arm portion in spaced relation tothe tension member, a runner member positioned beneath the tensionmember, and a substantially U- shaped retaining means for the runnermember positioned about and operable to retain the pin member.

2. The combination in a trolley device, of an elongated member having anopening therein on the lower side to receive a trolley conductor and aclevis adjacent one end, a renewable runner member positioned on thelower side of the said member having an upstanding ear adjacent theclevis, an approach member positioned adjacent the said member andrunner member having an upwardly projecting portion adjacent the clevis,and transverse holding means cooperative with the clevis, ear andupwardly projecting portion to maintain the said member, runner mem berand approach member in operating relation.

3. A trolley conductor device comprising, a me tallic end member forconnecting the trolley conductor in predetermined relation to thedevice, a substantially U-shaped renewable runner member havingupstanding sides positioned about the lower side of the end member,means adjacent one end to connect the runner member to the end member,means adjacent the other end of the end member including a clevisthereon and transverse holding means for securing the other end of therunner member to the end member, and an approach member secured to thetrolley conductor and connected to the transverse hold ing means.

4. An insulator device comprising, spaced end members with recesseshaving transverse openings, an insulating tension member having metallic connecting members adjacent the ends positioned in the recesses,means positioned in the transverse openings connecting the connectingmembers to the end members in hinged relation, an additional insulatingmember positioned between the end members in spaced relation to thefirst-mentioned insulating member to maintain the end members inalignment, a runner member positioned beneath the first-mentionedinsulating member, and retaining means securing the runner member to anend member operable to secure the connecting means in the transverseopening.

5. An insulator device for a trolley conductor system comprising, spacedend members for connecting the device in the system an insulatingtension member positioned between the end members, transverse holdingmeans providing a hinged connection between the tension member and theend members to prevent flexing the tension member, an insulatincompression member positioned between the end members in spaced relationto the tension member, a runner member comprising a plurality ofsections positioned beneath the tension member, retaining means securedto the end member to secure one end of a section of the runner memberand retain the transverse means in position, and means securing theother end of the section to the tension member.

RAYMOND P. HANNA.

